Friday, May 29, 2009

Home-Made Simple

Sharing our homes with family and friends is one of life's great pleasures. A thoughtful and tastefully designed guest bedroom lets those who are dear to you know that your welcome mat is always out for them.

Spoil your guests with these ideas for making your guest bedroom an inviting oasis they will want to visit time and again.

Use Your Best

When designing your guest bedroom, resist the temptation to use all your extra or unwanted furnishings. Using your best sheets, bedspreads and mattress, for example, will show your guests how much you care. Challenge yourself to make the room look and feel like a top-notch hotel or B&B guest room. Make it a room that you'd want to visit.

Choose a Theme

Your guest bedroom's design theme doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive, just tasteful and thoughtful. Choose a theme (nautical is popular right now) and start with a subtle approach and color scheme-throw pillows on the bed, some appropriate artwork and maybe a piece of furniture or two that adds to the theme. Remember that you can always add items later as you find them when traveling or shopping around town.

Store It Elsewhere

Make sure the room's closets (or armoire) have ample room to hang all their clothes, and include a chest of drawers and at least one nightstand for other personal effects. Also, even if you use the room as an exercise area at other times, make sure your treadmill, weights and other equipment are stored elsewhere when hosting guests so they know the room is reserved exclusively for them.

Little Touches, Big Impact

Little Touches, Big Impact It's always the little touches that transform an ordinary room into something extraordinary. Take a mental journey back to your favorite hotel and B&B rooms you've stayed in over the years. What did you like about them? What little touches did the proprietors include that added a touch of class?

Let your guests know you have their comfort in mind by including these items in your guest bedroom during their stay:

* Extra blankets in the closet or a drawer in case they get cold.
* Ceiling fan (or small oscillating tabletop fan) in case they get hot.
* Terrycloth robes for each guest hanging in the closet.
* A night light or small flashlight stored in a drawer if they need to get up during the night.
* Bottled water and glasses in case they get thirsty during the night.
* Dish with mints or hard candy.
* A good reading lamp.
* A few magazines or books in case they want to read a little before drifting off to sleep.
* Box of facial tissues.
* Small basket of fresh potpourri.
* Welcome basket with extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, body lotion and other small items they may have forgotten to bring with them.

Final Test

After you've put all of those personal touches into designing and furnishing your guest room, do one last thing before hosting guests-stay overnight in the room yourself. Chances are you'll find a couple of little things you'd like to add or change about it. Perhaps you forgot to include a waste basket or the room flows better with the furniture re-arranged. Make those little adjustments and then rest assured that your guests are going to love staying with you.

Home-Made Simple


There is silk grass available, but it is so simple to grow grass that it’s silly to buy fake. And with fresh, green grass you can really bring the sunny feeling of spring indoors, even on those “April showers” days.

Watching the Grass Grow

Watching the Grass Grow Plant your grass today, and in three to four days you should start seeing sprouts—and in ten days your grass will be ready to display!

Use a fast draining potting mix, like cactus mix. Place some screen mesh at the bottom of your pot to aid drainage, then scoop in the soil. Leave about an inch from the top of the pot and level it off.

At this point, water the soil very well so the seeds have a moist bed to lie in. Then sprinkle the seed generously over the soil. Rye grass grows especially well indoors. Sprinkle a little more soil over the seeds, then use a mist spray bottle to keep the soil moist for the next few days. In a few days, you’ll see some green.

Containers For Interiors

Grass is such a versatile design element that it can really reflect and enhance almost any decorating style, so it’s important that your container fits that style. Therefore, choose your planters carefully.

To create a modern look, choose a container that has sleek lines, perhaps with a rectangular or hexagonal shape. For a more traditional look, find a more classic looking Grecian urn or carved planter. Even the tried and true clay flowerpot looks new and different with grass.

You can find many styles of containers at any home or garden center. For the latest styles of containers, you may want to go to a high-end or boutique garden store. You can also search the internet for “indoor pots and planters.”

Creative Container Gardening

You can also create your own planter. Some creative gardening containers include tea tins and wicker baskets lined with plastic. Challenge yourself to come up with a neat and unexpected container to grow your grass in. Just make sure these creative containers have enough drainage, as grass doesn’t like “wet feet.”

Grass Décor Ideas

Now that you have your grass planted, here are some decorating ideas:

* Place a row of smaller grass planters down the middle of your dinner table for an intriguing centerpiece.
* A long, narrow planter with grass shooting out the top is a nice cap to a credenza or a low hall cabinet.
* Smaller pots full of grass look very pretty on windowsills.
* Ease the transition from outdoors to indoors by placing a pot of grass near sliding glass doors.
* Place one next to the sink in the bathroom for a simple shot of color and life.
* For seasonal celebrations, arrange decorated eggs on top of your grass. Or, for a golfer in your family, tee up some golf balls on your grass decorations.

It’s odd how grass can give a natural and down-to-earth feel, while at the same time feel sleek and modern, but that’s why it is such an intriguing interior design element. Try growing a pot of grass now, and in ten days you’ll have a whole new look in your home.

Home-Made Simple


1. Old or outdated dressers and bureau pieces can all be repurposed in the kitchen or dining area for dish and linen storage. Use paint or stain to brighten them up and coordinate them with your space. Use an Old Dresser to Organize has even more tips for repurposing an old dresser.
2. Use sturdy old fruit crates or wooden boxes you find at markets as shelving. Be sure to use hardware that will adequately support the amount of weight you will be adding to the wall. Using at least one wall stud will provide the best support. Attach the bottom of the crate to the wall so that the opening faces outward. Place some in your kitchen to display items, or for storing spices, jars and cookbooks.
3. Jewelry boxes with lots of drawers are great places to organize and store cosmetics in the bathroom.
4. Take interesting, refurbished stools, benches and/or wooden chairs and use as plant stands in sunny spots.
5. Use an old wooden coat tree to track the height of your little ones. Give the tree a fresh coat of paint and adhere paper cutouts marked with “age” and “date” so you can mark their heights as they grow.
6. Spruce up an old entertainment center with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware to create a sophisticated storage piece. Its large, deep compartments are perfect for stowing away electronics, books and toys.

Home-Made Simple


1. Napkin
2. Salad Fork
3. Dinner Fork
4. Dessert Fork
5. Bread and Butter Plate
With spreader
6. Dinner plate
7. Dinner Knife
8. Teaspoon
9. Teaspoon
10. Soup Spoon
11. Cocktail fork
12. Water Glass
13. Red-wine glass
14. White-wine glass
15. Coffee cup and saucer

Home-Made Simple

Vase Variety
An empty glass vase is just waiting for you to fill it with your own personal sense of style and creativity. There are so many shapes and styles of vases to choose from: cylinders, squares, curvy or classic. Whether you have a collection of vases from floral deliveries or have found a few deals at your local home goods store, simple glass vases offer you a budget-friendly opportunity to renew your décor. Use these ten ideas as a starting point and let your imagination transform a vase before your eyes!

1. Fruit Filled: Use real or artificial fruit to add a burst of fresh color to your room. Green apples, clementines, lemons or limes are all good choices because they don’t need to be refrigerated. Layer fruits with different colors and textures in a wide-mouthed vase or use one fruit type for a thoroughly clean, modern look.

2. Lots of Moss: Moss is often used as filler or an accent inside a vase along with other plants or flowers as the focal point. Instead, try filling an entire vase with fuzzy, green texture. For a unified motif, fill vases of different sizes and shapes with layers of moss and place them throughout a room.

3. Pretty PlumesPretty Plumes: Create an arrangement in a cylinder vase using tall, fancy feathers like peacock or ostrich. Choose bright colors or neutrals depending on your overall décor. Use feathers of varying sizes and heights to mimic the look of a floral arrangement.

4. Blooms Only: Trim the blooms from fresh, dried or artificial flowers and layer them inside a vase. The more colorful and dramatic the blossoms the better, but classic white works well too, especially in an otherwise busy room. You can also just float a single bloom at the top of a small glass vase filled with water. Add a few drops of bleach to help preserve it.

5. Child’s Play: Décor in a playroom or family room should be colorful and quirky with a nod to the room’s more casual use. Choose playful objects to layer, such as wood building blocks with letters or numbers, toy cars, board games pieces or even multi-colored bouncy balls.

6. Coffee Color: A vase filled with coffee beans can add a little café atmosphere to your kitchen. Use a square vase shape to juxtapose the rounded shape of the beans. Pair the rich, dark color of the beans with spring-inspired colors like bubblegum pink or robin’s egg blue. Add the color easily with a silky ribbon tied around the vase or by setting flowers or a single candle in the center.

7. Seasonal Sensations: Change up your décor in an instant by filling a vase with signs of the season. For spring, use colorful plastic eggs or marshmallow chicks; bright green palm leaves are perfectly beachy for summer; for fall, try pinecones or gourds and for winter fill a vase with evergreen sprigs or shiny glass ornaments.

8. From the Sea: Create an island oasis with your seaside collection. Fill a tall vase with shells and coral of all shapes and sizes arranged at interesting angles. Put it on display during summer months or anytime you need a little getaway. Check this look out in Your Great Escape.

9. Made for Metallic: Make your vase shine with pretty metal objects. Coin collections, antique keys, mismatched silverware and costume jewels can all make an elegant impression in your space. Try a short slender vase with a wide mouth and fan out silverware around the mouth or create your own special arrangement. Place on a hutch in the dining room or use as a centerpiece for a table.

10. Fabulous Fibers: Yarn comes in all sorts of beautiful colors and soft textures and filling a vase with it is a great way to show off your hobby or just make a room feel warm and cozy. It often comes rolled in fun formations or balls, so try layering your yarn in its unused form or create and arrangement with loose scraps you’ve hung onto. Finish off the look with a pair of simple silver knitting needles poking out at the top. Make sure to display it on a high shelf or mantel if you have little ones around.

Home-Made Simple

Decorating your home doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, you may be surprised at how easy it is to create a new look for just about any room in your house simply by rearranging what you already have, or by purchasing a few inexpensive accessories. The possibilities for changing your décor are limited only by your imagination.

But remember, generally speaking, less is more. Don't cover every surface with pictures and knick-knacks, unless you're going for the Victorian look. (Besides, fewer knick-knacks mean less dusting!)

Jazz Up Your Living Room

Photographs and artwork. Try breaking up the monotony of books on a shelf by tucking photos between stacks of books, or propping photos Photographs and artworkon easels for display. You can also slip pictures under glass tabletops. A picture ledge (a narrow shelf specifically made for pictures) is a great place for displaying all sorts of artwork—and it keeps you from covering your walls with nail holes.

When hanging artwork on walls, be sure to hang it low enough so that your furniture and pictures are viewed as a unit. Consider grouping pieces together for an eye-catching focal point. You may want to simply set a piece of art on top of a table or desk, just leaning it against the wall instead of hanging it. Place a low-sitting bowl or other decorative piece in front of the artwork to create a pleasing arrangement.

To display kids’ artwork and projects in a decorative and personalized way, add simple short curtain rods with clips for hanging to a free wall in your home. This also makes it quick and easy to switch out art as your children make new pieces.

Lamps and lighting. Overall lighting sets the mood for any room. Step back and review the lighting in your living room. Most seating should have light available from a lamp or overhead fixture. While you're looking, check out your lampshades. Do they complement each other? Purchasing a new shade is a quick and inexpensive way to update a lamp.

Window treatmentsIf you have houseplants, consider adding twinkle lights. These lights add warm, subdued lighting when used alone, and great accent light any time.

If you need a new lighting solution, but don’t want to spend a fortune on brand new decorative lamps, consider using a lamp kit, available at home improvement stores and craft stores. Use everyday items you already have around the home as your base, such as candleholders, and add a simple shade to finish.

Window treatments. Are your drapes older than you are? May be time for a change. If you want to make your room less—or more—formal, window treatments can do the trick. Look through catalogs and magazines for window treatments you like, and then figure out how to make them yourself. An inexpensive fabric remnant draped over a new curtain rod may be all you need. And don't forget to consider sheets as window treatments. They're inexpensive, and you can easily find something to complement your décor.

Rugs, pillows, and throws. Even if you have carpet, an area rug can be an easy way to Rugs, pillows, and throwsmark off a conversation area in your living room. You can angle the rug for extra decorating drama. Purchase a few pillows in complementary patterns or colors and place them around the room for added color. Add a comfy chenille throw and make just about any piece of furniture look like a great place to curl up.

Decorate Your Family Room

You can apply the decorating tips for the living room to your family room as well. But since most people congregate in the family room, decorating this space takes some special consideration.

Tabletops. Items such as reading material, discarded shoes, drinking glasses, and toys just seem to materialize in the family room in the form of clutter. Minimize tabletop clutter with a decorative box on a coffee or end table as a catchall for electronics equipment, remote controls, coasters, stray pens, and so on. Set up a place to stash newspapers and magazines conveniently and neatly. This could be a magazine rack, an ottoman with storage, or a big basket.
Lamps and lighting

Lamps and lighting. Choose lamps that provide ample light for reading, and be sure that they are placed at the right height for reading. One placed too high can create an uncomfortable glare, and one too low can cause eyestrain. Lamps equipped with a three-way bulb (50-, 100-, and 150-watt options) are excellent choices. As in the living room, simply changing a lampshade can give you a whole new look.

Throws and pillows. Ensure comfort by tossing a throw onto a chair or sofa for wintertime coziness. Increase year-round lounging comfort—and provide extra seating—with oversized throw pillows. You can make your own from fabric remnants.Fireplaces

Fireplaces. Mantles are great places for displaying artwork, candles, and other decorative pieces. You can also hang artwork under the mantle, alongside the fireplace. Place a few tall candlesticks with pillar candles on the hearth and you've got a new look.

Home-Made Simple

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Easily Transform Your Walls
Making changes to your wall space can be surprisingly simple. Go beyond picture frames to make lively transformations in stylish, yet manageable ways. Here are a few ideas:
Easily Transform Your Walls

* Accent with Wallpaper. Wallpaper is back, but not like it used to be. Today’s wallpaper comes in colorful, bold patterns that make a big statement in small amounts. Use it in highlight areas such as a breakfast nook, the back of a bookshelf or along a wall, mounted in simple panels. You can also use it as a surprise element in enclosed spaces, like a kitchen pantry or medicine cabinet. If you feel daring (and you should!), use some to recover an outdated fridge. You can do this using rubber cement, so the process is reversible when you change your décor.

* Create Detail with Wall Decals. Instead of a wall-to-wall covering, like wallpaper, wall decals are individually shaped designs and illustrations that you can apply easily wherever you’d like to add detail to a painted wall. Some decals are design elements, while others may be silhouettes of animals, plants or even cityscapes.A single decal creates a touch of interest or you can group several to form an organic pattern. They’re available for purchase online and can be found easily by entering “wall decals” in your favorite search engine.


Tip: Decals add a unique touch to any surface of your home. Go beyond your walls and try applying one-of-a-kind designs to fabric surfaces like upholstered furniture and canvas curtains. Simply print your design on iron-on transfer paper, then iron it onto the item of your choice.

Sports

Tip: When applying your vinyl pieces, use a paper towel to rub out the bubbles and create a smooth decal. Move from top to bottom to take advantage of gravity and get a wrinkle-free result.

Create Detail with Wall Decals.

* Add Dimension. A few interesting objects or sculptural pieces can really pop. Sconce light fixtures or candleholders break up large empty space in the day and at night, they’ll shine soft light patterns across the wall. Sculptural wall hangings, like animals or plants, are more irregular and interesting shapes.

* Amp up your Ceiling. Use textured wallpaper to create the look of antique tin ceiling tiles. Simply hang the paper on your ceiling, carefully line up the seams and paint it with metallic paint. To ensure an even finish, apply paint with a roller. Then, use a paintbrush to smooth it over the textured areas.

Tip: Many types of wallpaper come pre-pasted, but if you are applying it to the ceiling, consider adding extra paste.

Crafty Accents: Make your own wall accents inspired by nature. Here are instructions for butterfly wall accents that Home Maven Wanda created on the Home Made Simple TV Show.

Large Butterfly Accents
This craft is made using bendable wire and pantyhose. You can buy most of the supplies that are needed at a craft or home improvement store.
Butterfly

MATERIALS

Bendable wire
Pantyhose
Acrylic spray paint
Self-adhesive embellishments (crystals)
Pipe cleaners
Duct tape

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bend wire to any shape- for a butterfly, shape each wing separately and tape ends together.
2. With a pipe cleaner attach wings to each other and cover wings with pantyhose. Cut off any excess and tie ends in a knot.
3. Spray the wings with acrylic spray paint and let dry.
4. Use pipe cleaner to form body and antennas of the butterfly.
5. Embellish the butterfly with self-adhesive jewels. Make sure to cover the pantyhose knot with a jewel.

Tip: You can also make butterfly accents using decorative or colorful papers and adhere them to surfaces in your space.

Bring Garden Furniture Inside
Nature’s beauty is about to bloom. Bring a little of the outdoors into your living space. Metal garden furniture is a great way to add interest in a living room, bathroom or in any nook around your home that needs a little more life. Depending on your décor, a weathered appearance may be perfect. Or, you can easily paint the item to match your color scheme. And don’t be afraid to try a bold color! Here are a couple types of furniture you may like to use:

* Plant Stands. Tiered plant stands make great unconventional organizers. Use one in the bedroom for a decorative shoe rack and another in the bathroom to hold items like brushes, curling irons and blow dryers. Or you can try a more traditional use. Put your houseplants up on a pedestal to truly make your indoor greenery a focal point.

* Metal Lawn Chairs. A 50’s-style metal chair is a nice vintage touch. And most are surprisingly comfortable! Especially when you use a decorative pillow to soften the seat.

* Garden Accessories. You can repurpose outdoor accessories in unexpected ways. For accent furniture, a gardener’s cart can be used as a buffet table or a sundial stand as an end table.

Create Unexpected End Tables
You can never have enough places to set your drink or rest your favorite magazine between reads. But you don’t need to spend a lot at furniture stores. Instead, you can create more surfaces by stacking interesting items that can be found around your home or purchased inexpensively. Here are a few examples:
Suitcases

* Suitcases. Oftentimes, you can find small, vintage travel cases in local antique shops and thrift stores. They come in fun colors like aqua and olive. Stack 2 to 3 from largest to smallest for a nostalgic coffee table or end table that doubles as storage.

* Hatboxes. Another stackable item is a hatbox. Try stacking 2 to 4, depending on their size. Also, don’t be afraid to mix new and old boxes, or solids and patterns.

Throw Down Bright, Bold Rugs
Rugs add lots of color and take minimal effort. Have fun with your options. Modern patterns are bold and stylish, while polka dots are playful. Or you can even go wild with an animal print. The best part is, there’s no handy-work involved. You just have to find the perfect spot. Here are some places where a bright rug may work for you:

* Doorways. Welcome spring and your guests by making a statement right at the door. Place a colorful mat on your doorstep. It will make a great first impression and help protect your interior rugs from springtime mud and grass-stains that may be tracked in.

* Understated Areas. Turn any space from neutral to noticeable by creating a focal point with a large, patterned rug.

* Passageways. Try a bold runner up the steps or down a hallway. Even places where you don’t linger long can make a memorable space.

Following just one or two of these décor tips will add a fresh new look that’s sure to surprise and delight everyone you welcome into your home this spring.

Home-Made Simple

Living Room
Living Room

* Rule of three: In a straight line—vertically or horizontally—hang a series of three pieces of artwork that share similar color palettes. Or, add soft side lighting in your room by positioning three small lamps on a table. Ensure that the lamps or lampshades pull from the same colors or are similar in shape and silhouette.

* Yin and yang: Examine the color of your sofa, then choose two or three complementary colors for your accent pieces. As you search for accessories, focus on finding different patterns that share a common color. For example, if your sofa is tan, consider adding pops of bright blue with pillows and blankets in various patterns that contain this blue hue.

* Cross-pollinate: Echo colors across your room by alternating the dominant shade in different combinations. As an example, place a black armchair in one corner of your space, and a brown and white-striped chair in the other. Play up the black tones on your brown and white piece through a simple solid accent pillow. On your black chair, incorporate a patterned throw in various shades of brown and white.

Kitchen

* Rule of three: Place three canisters on your countertop to hold your kitchen utensils or staple cooking ingredients, like flour and sugar. Create instant interest by choosing containers that share the same color, but feature different shapes and heights. You can achieve a similar effect with a trio of oven mitts or dishtowels.

* Yin and yang: Kick dinnertime up a notch by crafting new decorative table settings. Work from the color of your serving plates and select new linens, napkin rings and glasses that complement the dishware.

* Other magical touches: Impress your guests by spreading a decorative textile over your buffet furniture. Identify an underused color in the room—perhaps the deep reds in the floral arrangement or the floral designs on your china pieces—and bring it to the forefront.

Bathroom

* Yin and yang: Strike a color balance in your bathroom by selecting colors and patterns for your towels, window treatments and shower curtain that pull from—or complement—the color of your walls. You can even mix and match patterns, like placing a pinstriped shower curtain alongside graphic floral towels with similar shades.

* Cross-pollinate: In the bathroom, permanent aesthetic features can often give way to decorative inspiration. If, for example, your bath tile is white with a thick navy blue stripe, play off this color palette for a cohesive look. Select bath accessories that showcase your tile colors in interesting, textural patterns. And because white and navy blue is a relatively neutral palette, you can experiment with more colors like muted pink and lime green.

* Other magical touches: Adding a pop of color can be fun and functional. Collect towels in various shades of the same color, then fold them in a stack on a stepstool, or tightly roll them and place in decorative woven baskets.

Home-Made Simple

Adding Color and Texture
When revitalizing a space, incorporating new hues and textural materials is a quick and simple way to enhance your room. Whether it’s throw pillows or window treatments, consider these four décor principles as you choose your pieces.

* Rule of three: If you’re adding a new color that doesn’t yet exist in your room, incorporate it in at least three locations. For example, add vibrant and trendy mustard yellow to a neutral color palette of white and grey. Try using a mustard yellow chenille throw, drapes and decorative accent pillows.

* Yin and yang: It can often seem difficult to strike the right balance between two contradictory colors. No matter your shades of choice—think plum and pale green; charcoal grey and bright orange; and pale pink and dark brown as striking combinations—you can find harmony among your hues by pairing different textiles that contain the same color. For accent pillows, choose a patterned piece that contains both of your colors, then place it alongside a solid or more graphic pillow that prominently showcases one of your colors.

* Cross-pollinate: For a hip, artistic effect that maintains a sense of uniformity, adhere to the principle of same theme, different colors. Consider upholstering all of your dining room chairs in striped patterns, but vary the color palette and band widths. Playing with a host of textiles in the floral or polka dot family achieves this same fun, nuanced effect.

* Don't be afraid of the magic: When it comes to mixing and matching, it’s all about trusting your own eye. If you can “feel” the benefit of an unlikely combination, you’ve done your job correctly. Trust your instincts and add and remove items to your liking—remember, it’s your space and nobody else’s.

Home-Made Simple

Container Garden in the Air

To create this hanging basket, use a wire basket and sphagnum moss, which will allow you to plant right into the side of the basket. Doing so allows more plants to get sunlight, and creates a basket that’s completely covered in greens and flowers.

Another unique aspect is that it hangs at eye level, not above your head. That way, you can appreciate the plants blooming out the top of the basket as much as the ones hanging below. It also makes watering your hanging basket much easier.

This hanging basket mixes intriguing vines, like green and white vinca and the chartreuse potato, with beautiful flowers that come in many colors and shapes.

MATERIALS

Sphagnum moss
Wire hanging basket
Newspaper
Potting soil
Impatiens
Oregano
Vinca vine
Petunias
Geraniums
Potato vine
Craft knife
Chain and hook

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Line the bottom of the wire basket with the sphagnum moss. Then line that layer of moss with a layer of newspaper to hold the potting soil.
2. Fill the basket 3/4 full with potting soil. By the time everything is planted, the soil will reach to the top of the basket.
3. Place the basket on a raised work surface, like an overturned flower pot, so you can work around the sides.
4. Use your knife to cut small slits through the moss and the newspaper large enough to fit the root balls of the oregano and impatiens through to plant them in the soil. Go all the way around the basket, cutting slits two to three inches apart. Plant two oreganos for each impatien.
5. Plant the petunias, vinca vine and potato vine in the soil on top of the basket around the edge.
6. Plant the geraniums in the middle of the basket.
7. When the weather is warm enough, hang your basket from your porch or balcony ceiling with a piece of chain long enough to put it at eye level.

Plant your hanging basket now, and it will be in full bloom by mid-summer. It will add plenty of color and cheer to your porch or balcony.

Home-Made Simple

Choosing the Perfect Planter
Keep these rules of thumb in mind when choosing pots for your plants.

* You can use just about anything that will hold soil as a planter. Ideally, the pot should have a diameter that is equal to 1/3 to 1/2 the height of the plant.
* Holes in the bottom of your planter are essential for allowing excess water to drain away from the soil. Container grown plants are very susceptible to over-watering and drowning.
* When drilling or cutting holes in the bottom of your planter is not an option, you do have a few alternatives:
1. Add a layer of gravel below the soil for small decorative plants you plan to keep indoors where watering can be monitored closely.
2. Pot your plant in an inexpensive plastic planter with holes in the bottom, and then place inside your decorative planter. Be sure to remove the plastic planter and pour out excess water every now and then to prevent the roots from drowning.

Home-Made Simple

Creative Potting
Pot your plants in ways that complement their shapes, colors and your décor.

* Shapes Shapes: Mix organic shapes of plants with geometric-shaped pots like hexagons, squares or rectangles. Look for plastic, coated or vellum takeout boxes at your local craft store for an extra cute boxy look for small plants like herbs. To match the clean, geometric lines of your container, arrange plants in evenly spaced rows or circles or just pot a single, simple plant in the center.
* Materials: Go beyond terracotta for outdoor potted plants. Try hollowed-out stones or cinder blocks, repurposed birdbaths or wooden boxes. Or take a tip from Home Maven Patrick Brown and get whimsical with an antique tub, metal watering can or wooden barrel. You can even use his instructions to create your own Wildflower Barrel Planter. And for small decorative plants or herbs you plan to keep indoors, try dainty ceramic cups and containers to match their diminutive size.
* Textures: Mix textures by covering a plain pot in soft fabric. Just use our simple sew or no-sew instructions for creating felted planter covers. They’re perfect for mixing with the prickly texture of a small cactus plant or dressing up an otherwise bland container to match your décor. All you need is an old wool sweater to get started!

Potato Salad

Potato Salad

A great salad to make in advance, to have great “on-the-go” salads for a week.

INGREDIENTS:

* 10 lbs. red potatoes
* 5 cups chopped bacon
* 1 ¼ cup chopped onion
* 2 ½ cup chopped celery
* 1 ¼ cup zesty salad Italian dressing
* 3 ½ cup mayonnaise
* 10 hard boiled eggs, chopped
* 4 teaspoon salt
* ½ teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot, cover potatoes with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 20-30 minutes. Strain potatoes. Once the potatoes have cooled, cut into 3/4 inch chunks.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Add the potatoes, onion, celery, bacon and eggs; use a rubber spatula to gently fold to combine. Cover; refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to one day.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

This refreshing salad is wonderful in a sandwich with Italian bread, but also makes an elegant appetizer.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tomatoes, sliced
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 leaves of fresh basil, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. On a plate, in a bowl, or on a slice of bread, arrange alternating slices of tomato and mozzarella. Sprinkle basil on top.
2. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over salad.

Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken

Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken

Here’s another great pasta salad; this one’s from Allison Fishman, the Cooking Maven on the Home Made Simple TV show.

For basil pesto:
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 small garlic clove, peeled
2 packed cups basil leaves
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil, divided

For pasta salad:
1 pound spiral pasta
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 cup tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons pine nuts
Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1. Process pine nuts and garlic in a food processor until the texture of coarse sand; about 30 seconds.
2. Add basil and parmesan cheese, process until a paste forms. Add 1/3 cup olive oil. Process to incorporate; about 10 seconds.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking liquid. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water until the pasta is room temperature.
4. Heat an electric griddle, or large nonstick skillet. Coat with non-stick spray and cook chicken over medium heat until golden on both sides, about 8 minutes total.
5. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, 1/4 cup pesto, pine nuts, lemon juice and zest. Toss to coat. Add pasta cooking liquid, a few tablespoons at a time, to coat pasta and thin the pesto sauce. Add chicken, toss and serve.

Caesar Pasta Salad

Caesar Pasta Salad

Using Caesar dressing gives this pasta salad a garlicky tang. Use light dressing for a healthier version of this tasty salad.

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. small pasta shells or macaroni
1 can (15 1/4 oz.) Del Monte® Sweet Peas, drained
1/2 cup coarsely shredded carrot
1/2 cup julienne-cut zucchini
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onion
3/4 cup Caesar salad dressing
lettuce (optional)
shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain.
2. Toss with peas, carrot, zucchini, green pepper and green onion. Add dressing; toss to coat evenly.
3. Chill 2 hours or overnight. Serve in lettuce-lined bowl with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Beef and Potato Wrap

Beef and Potato Wrap
Meld together classic flavors—rare, savory beef, sweet potato salad and tangy Italian dressing—in this simple sandwich substitute.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
4 tortillas (10”-12”), heated according to package’s instructions
4 teaspoons coarse-grain mustard
8 romaine lettuce leaves
12 ounces rare roast beef, thinly sliced
4 teaspoons Italian dressing
1 cup prepared potato salad
Salt and pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS

1. On a clean working surface, lay out the four tortillas and spread each with 1 teaspoon of the coarse-grained mustard. Place two romaine lettuce leaves on one side of each tortilla.
2. In a small mixing bowl, lightly toss the roast beef strips in the Italian dressing, then evenly distribute the meat onto the four tortillas, spooning it over the lettuce leaves.
3. Divide the prepared potato salad into four equal servings and spoon onto the roast beef. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Once dressed, fold in the sides of each tortilla, then lift the end closest to you and tightly roll up the tortilla in a forward motion. Rest the wrap on its seam and slice in half on an angle. Heat up a jar of beef gravy and serve alongside your wrap as a savory dipping sauce.

Tip: Your local deli offers several varieties of roast beef. Typically, they’ll be happy to let you sample them so you can find your family’s favorite.

Tip: Keep changing up the flavor by considering these tasty ingredient substitutions: try replacing your potato salad with mashed potatoes, veggie salad or coleslaw. In lieu of Italian dressing, try smothering the roast beef in tangy steak sauce. When you’re wrapping up the ingredients, let your imagination run wild.

California Wrap

California Wrap
Inspired by the sweet, cool flavors of Japanese cooking, try rolling together crabmeat, rice and guacamole for your own variation on sushi.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS
4 tortillas (10”-12”), heated according to package’s instructions
1 package (7 oz.) prepared guacamole
8 romaine lettuce leaves
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon prepared wasabi paste, or to taste
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 cups white rice, cooked
2 cups imitation crabmeat, found at your grocery’s butcher station
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced lengthwise

INSTRUCTIONS

1. On a clean working surface, lay out the four tortillas and spread each with a thin layer of guacamole. Top each with two lettuce leaves.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, wasabi paste, soy sauce and green onions, then stir in the prepared rice. Evenly divide the rice mixture and spoon over the lettuce leaves on each tortilla.
3. In a separate small mixing bowl, lightly toss the imitation crabmeat with rice wine vinegar and spoon onto each tortilla alongside the rice. Lay 3 or 4 cucumber strips across the top of the filling.
4. Once dressed, fold in the sides of each tortilla, then lift the end closest to you and tightly roll up the tortilla in a forward motion. Rest the wrap on its seam and slice in half on an angle. Serve your wrap with additional soy sauce and wasabi paste for dipping.

Tip: If you have a ripe avocado on hand, omit the guacamole and use fresh avocado slices instead. You can also look in your grocer’s freezer for time-saving ready-cook rice.

Tip: As a nod to nori, a mild, salty seaweed used in Japanese cooking, try making your California Wrap with spinach wraps instead of plain tortillas.

Tip: Try tossing shredded lettuce with a light mix of mayonnaise, cocktail sauce and a squeeze of lemon, then place it on a tortilla and top with cooked shrimp.

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Buffalo Chicken Wrap Creamy bleu cheese cools down hot and spicy buffalo chicken in this sure-to-please wrap.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
4 tortillas (10”-12”), heated according to package’s instructions
8 romaine lettuce leaves
1/2 cup celery, finely minced
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
1/3 cup chunky bleu cheese or ranch dressing
2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
1/3 cup buffalo sauce
INSTRUCTIONS

1. On a clean working surface, lay out the four tortillas and place 2 romaine lettuce leaves in the center of each.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the celery, red pepper and bleu cheese dressing, then spoon generously over the lettuce leaves.
3. In a separate medium-size mixing bowl, combine the chicken and buffalo sauce. Divide the chicken evenly among the four tortillas, carefully spooning it over the vegetable mixture.
4. Once dressed, fold in the sides of each tortilla, then lift the end closest to you and tightly roll up the tortilla in a forward motion. Rest the wrap on its seam and slice in half on an angle. Serve your wrap with additional bleu cheese dressing and buffalo sauce for dipping.

Tip: Parlay your wrap into easy party food that’s sure to please the crowd. With a sharp knife, slice each wrap into 4 or 5 pieces, securing each with a toothpick inserted lengthwise across the pinwheel. Serve your appetizers with fresh celery sticks and addition bleu cheese dressing for dipping.

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Chicken Caesar Wrap
Spin this classic salad on its head by combining its fresh ingredients into a tasty and easy-to-tote lunch wrap.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
4 tortillas (10”-12”), heated according to package instructions
4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bag Caesar salad kit (lettuce, croutons, dressing and cheese)
Cracked black pepper, to taste
2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped

Consider these additional ingredients: Crispy bacon bits, sliced tomatoes, olives, roasted red peppers or minced anchovies
INSTRUCTIONS

1. On a clean working surface, lay out the four tortillas. In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and garlic powder, then spread over each of the warmed tortillas with a spoon.
2. In a separate bowl, toss together your salad kit’s lettuce, croutons, dressing and cheese. Divide the salad among the four tortillas, placing the mixture slightly off center on the tortilla.
3. Evenly divide up the chopped chicken, then top each tortilla with the meat.
4. Once dressed, fold in the sides of each tortilla, then lift the end closest to you and tightly roll up the tortilla in a forward motion. Rest the wrap on its seam and slice in half on an angle.

Tip: Using a bagged salad kit helps you bring together this meal on the fly, but you can cut even more time off the clock by purchasing a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked, thickly-sliced deli chicken breast at your grocery store.

Tip: Looking for lunch? The layer of softened cream cheese keeps the tortilla fresh—and never soggy—making this wrap perfect for night-before preparation. Prepare your wrap, leave un-sliced and wrap tightly in plastic wrap for storage in the refrigerator. In the morning, lunch is simply a matter of grabbing and going.

Home-Made Simple

There's still time to squeeze in some fun before the busy back-to-school season starts. Even if you've already gone on summer vacation, there are plenty of low-cost, big-fun things for the family to do in your area this month.

Be a Hometown Tourist

Adopt the mindset that you're a tourist in your own town, and set out to explore the area with a fresh perspective. Check out that out-of-the-way museum, shop or flea market you always wanted to see, or revisit an old favorite that may have added new attractions.

Pick up your city's visitors guide at the local tourist bureau office. It will give you a complete rundown of all there is to do and see in your area, and it's likely to have several 2-for-1 coupons and other discounts to the area's most popular attractions. Check out the bureau's web site for information and discounts as well.

Make it a Matinee

Many movie theaters, playhouses and other performing arts organizations offer deep discounts for matinee performances, perhaps saving you enough for dinner afterwards. Check their schedules for matinees, and find out if lower ticket prices are offered for those performances.

Many popular restaurants offer various "early bird" discounts as well. Call your favorite restaurants to inquire about early bird deals and any other seasonal or family specials they offer.

Free & Easy Entertainment

Produce Most cities have a weekly activity guide, web site or daily newspaper that lists dozens of free activities occurring every weekend, especially during the summer months. Check for free concerts at local parks, libraries and museums. Lots of neighborhoods also put on summer festivals that feature arts and crafts, live entertainment and some of the best ethnic foods you're likely to find anywhere.

Many museums also offer free admission at some time every week. Check with the museums you'd like to visit to see if they offer free admission on certain days.

Major Fun, Minor Leagues

Even if you live in a "major league" baseball city, chances are you've got a minor league team nearby that delivers entertaining action at a fraction of major league prices. Not only will you get a cheaper ticket, you'll likely be closer to the action. And who knows, you might just see a future Hall of Famer on the way up.

August also means the start of college football season. Again, save a bundle by taking a scenic drive to a smaller, nearby college that has low ticket prices, a beautiful campus and a delightful dose of contagious school spirit.

Pack a Picnic

Pack a delicious picnic lunch and head out to an area park that's new to you. Perhaps the park will have a beautiful view of the city skyline or even a frisbee golf course that will give you a fun (and free) way to walk off that big lunch.
Volunteer for Adventure

Your city's weekly activity guide probably lists the various volunteer activities taking place around town. Besides feeling good about giving back to your community, volunteering is a great way to make new friends and possibly embark on new adventures. Volunteering, for example, could lead to a free canoe trip down a local river to help clear litter from its banks.

Or, make a pack of new friends by volunteering at a local animal shelter. Some shelters have an exercise area where you can walk the dogs, and others may even let you take a dog to a local park for a longer walk.

Don't let summer end without getting out and taking advantage of the long, warm days while they last. And who knows, you may just find a new hobby, favorite restaurant or great spot to take visiting guests.

Home-Made Simple

5. Alternate “me” time: Devote one hour to you each day to wind down or do something you love.

* Do something different each day. Try alternating reading, watching TV, writing in your journal, hobbies like knitting or crafting or even just taking a quiet walk.
* Devote your hour to learning something new. Take out a book from the library, read articles online or watch an hour long documentary.
* Make your hour a time to relax and pamper yourself. Give yourself a manicure, take a luxurious bath or try some at-home beauty treatments.

6. Be spontaneous: Keep yourself and your family on their toes by doing the unexpected every now and then.

* Take a new route home. You may discover a shortcut or pass by a new restaurant, store or park you would normally never come across. It’s like being a tourist in your own town.
* Spend time with nature. Plan an impromptu camping trip or hike with the whole family.
* Do something completely different on a school
night—enjoy some craft time, go to the park or have a movie night. Put everything else on hold for a night of fun.

Whether your days could use a little mixing up, slowing down or spontaneity, put these suggestions to use in ways that work for you and your family.

Home-Made Simple

1. Revive your mornings: Getting up at the same time every day and repeating the same tasks can feel monotonous. Try changing up your wake up routines to help give you a new lease on life.

* Give yourself enough time to fit in a workout or eat a full breakfast at least a few mornings a week.
* The next time you wake up feeling out of sorts, say ‘no’ to the sweats and mix things up with a dressy outfit. You’ll likely feel great about how you look and get your day off to a better start.
* If you always do certain household tasks in the morning like folding laundry or emptying the dishwasher, try changing up the time of day or give yourself a morning off now and then.
* If you tend to start the day with a cup of coffee, try adding tea into the mix. Coffee is great when you need an instant jolt of caffeine to get you going, and tea has an almost “extended-release” effect, giving you an even dose of caffeine throughout your morning.

Home-Made Simple

Imagine being able to walk through your family room without tripping over toys. Or having a place to put shoes so the morning rush out the door runs a little more smoothly. Sound like an impossible dream? It's not. Baskets are great ways to keep essentials handy without having them underfoot, and they still look nice and organized. Here are some room-by-room ideas for using baskets to help organize your life.

The Entryway/Foyer/Mudroom

No matter what you call it, or even if you don't have a name for where you walk in the door, you know too many things end up on the floor. Use baskets to:

* Collect shoes. You'll also collect dirt, and everyone in the family will be able to find their shoes in the morning rush. Remember this when you have tripped over little (or big) shoes one too many times.
* Collect mittens and scarves in the cold weather and umbrellas in the warmer weather.

The Bathroom

Use baskets in the bathroom to keep the place neater—and save you the embarrassment of running out of toilet tissue.

The Bathroom

* Roll guest or hand towels in the bathroom and put them in a basket. Even kids can roll a towel. It will keep the bathroom neater for guests too.
* A small basket on the back of the toilet tank is a great place to keep an extra roll or two of toilet tissue. A quick glance and you'll never be surprised to find the tissue is empty. This is also a great chore for a little helper.
* Arrange reading material. Someone always seems to leave a magazine or ten in the bathroom, and a basket will keep it looking neat.

The Kitchen

Our kitchen counters seem to be magnets for everything. Baskets are a great way to keep essentials neat and make healthy snacks immediately available and appealing.The Kitchen

* Use baskets to neatly arrange fruit or other healthy snacks on the kitchen counter or table. It will look great and keep healthy snacks a focal point.
* Use baskets for bread, snacks, mail, homework papers—just look at what usually ends up on your counter to see what might be a good candidate.

Family Room

* If you have kids, you probably have toys. Especially with younger kids, you want the toys to be accessible, and you also want to reinforce the little ones' ability to start picking up after themselves. Baskets are a great way to make all of these things happen.
* Liven up a room with plants in baskets. This will make your potted plants look neater too.
* Use a large basket to hold blankets. Family RoomThey're perfect for snuggling on the couch, but you can't expect little ones to fold something that's bigger than they are. Putting them in a basket keeps them where they belong and neat.


* If, like in most households, a new week brings a new remote, then designate a small basket just for the remotes. Anyone caught not putting them back where they belong has to listen to the story about "way back when, before we had remote controls and had to get up to change the channel..."
* Magazines and newspapers can threaten to take over a room, but a basket (recycled weekly) is a good way to keep them accessible without feeling like every living space or tabletop is buried.
* FlowersYou name it. Use baskets to make seasonal accents. For spring and summer, potted bulbs and flowers are often on sale and add so much to the room. Use a basket to cover up the inexpensive plastic pots and group a few containers together for a delightful room pick-me-up.

Home-Made Simple

Your child's bedroom. With limited space, a child's room is even more likely to need creative storage solutions. Try these suggestions for added storage in unexpected places:

13. Consider a captain's bed, with drawers in the wood cabinetry beneath the mattress, for additional storage.

Your child's bedroom14. Sort toys by category (action figures, doll clothes, and so on) and place them in plastic stackable storage bins on the closet floor. This will give those little hands easy access. Because children usually don't have much need for hanging clothes, use an old dresser, a bookcase, or stacked plastic crates in the closet for additional storage.

15. Think vertically and hang anything you can throughout the room. Hang lower shelves to stow frequently used books, toys, stuffed animals, and games. Install higher shelves for your child's display items and pictures. Put an inexpensive closet organizer over the door to store colouring books, crayons, stuffed animals, and other small items.

16. For storage solutions that are smart and festive, think beyond traditional home décor. If your kids participate in sports, try to acquire old lockers from a local school, then repaint them in your child’s favourite colours as a one-of-a-kind closet. With plenty of hooks and shelves, they’re perfect for keeping all of your child’s clutter in place.

Home-Made Simple

Trays: They’re not just for serving! Collect and contain items all over your home with trays of all shapes and sizes. Organize loose items on a coffee table such as remotes, magazines or catalogs and keep small items like keys and change together in an entryway or on a bedside table. You can even use a large four-sided tray for collecting wet shoes or rain boots by the door or in a mudroom.

Home-Made Simple


Paint or Coffee Can Cubbies: Unused silver paint cans are easy to find at home improvement stores for a small cost or you can easily clean out used coffee cans with Dawn® dish liquid. Recover or paint your cans for a brand new look and add decorative labels or chalkboard paint so you always know what’s inside.

* What can it hold? Turn your cans on their sides and use them as holders for mail, catalogs and paperwork. They also make great organizers for craft supplies.
* Where can it go? Some desks have built in shelving that offer the perfect place for your cubbies or just install simple shelving over your workspace.

Home-Made Simple

Pocket Shoe Organizers: Not just for shoes, these handy, over-the-door organizers are perfect for more than just the bedroom closet.

* What can it hold? Try stashing plastic shopping bags, garbage bags, oven mitts or potholders—each in its own pocket! It also makes a convenient holder for toilet paper rolls, hand towels and washcloths.
* Where can it go? The pantry door is a perfect spot to keep all kinds of useful items at your fingertips. You can also put it to use organizing items in a bathroom linen closet or over the bathroom door.

Home-Made Simple

Suitcases: If you don’t travel on a regular basis, don’t let all that empty space inside your suitcases go to waste! They’re perfect for storing out-of-season clothes, shoes and accessories and can often fit easily at the bottom of a closet or under the bed. If you have some nice, old leather cases you can use them as storage out in the open at the end of the bed or as a side table. They could even become a stylish way to store a collection of books or magazines.